Question
I was hoping that you could recommend a good indoor plant.  My mother has had a clear see through 2ft.x2ft, relatively thick box planter.  For several years it housed a plant (I am not sure what kind) something similar to a large version of the bamboos they sell now a days in the kiosks in the middle of malls.  It held onto life for years and finally fell.  I was hoping you could recommend something of substance to fill the box but that will not grow to be to big. It is in an open room that can get a lot of direct or indirect light.  Please help.  I would like to give her something planted and nice for her birthday.  Do you have any suggestions??

Answer
Hi Janna!
It sounds as if your mom had a "Chamaedorea erumpens" aka "Bamboo Palm" in her planter before.
I can visualize the planter she has, my mom use to have one just like that-they were very popular in the 70's.  If it is similar, it is made of thick acrylic and has no drainage at the bottom.
There are several types of plants you can use in this planter.  In fact, it might be fun to put a couple of different types of plants in the planter that will grow well together. You want to make sure that you do not mix a plant that takes a lot of water, such as a "Spathillyum" aka "Peace Lily" with something that takes very little water such as a "Sansevieria" aka "Snake Plant" or "Mother In Law's Tongue".  
If this planter does not have any drain holes, make sure you line the bottom with a layer of gravel so that the plant roots are not sitting directly on any water that is not absorbed.
If you want to go with plants that take little care, you can try the plant mentioned above, "Sansevieria"-I am sure  you have seen this plant, the leaves are tall, sturdy, upright that come to a point.  These plants take a low light to med. light and very little water.  Over watering will cause the Frans to become slimy, which you can just pull out.  
You can also plant a "Brassaia Actinophylla" aka  "Schefflera" or "Umbrella Plant".  They take a medium light and like to get slightly dry between waterings.
Another nice plant would be "Aglaonema" aka "Chinese Evergreen".  These are another one of my favorite plants. They can take a light and again like to get slightly dry between waterings.  Some varieties of the Chinese Evergreen will get berries.  They are not edible.  

I could really go on and on!  Let me know if you need anymore ideas.
Good Luck Janna-this is a very nice thing to do for your mom!
Leslie